2 Suggested Answers

A refrigerator or freezer that is cooling, but cooling poorly, may have a problem in one of several areas:

Evaporator coilsCondenserPoor
cooling is often the result of a heavy frost build-up on the evaporator
coils or a condenser that is clogged with dust, lint, and dirt.

Evaporator coils
Poor
cooling is often the result of a heavy frost build-up on the evaporator
coils. You can't see these coils without removing a panel on the inside
of your freezer. A sure sign that there is a build-up is the presence
of any frost or ice build-up on the inside walls, floor, or ceiling of
the freezer. Such a frost build-up usually indicates a problem in the
self-defrosting system or damaged door gaskets.

The refrigerator
is supposed to self-defrost approximately four times in every 24 hour
period. If one of the components in the self-defrosting system fails,
the refrigerator continues to try to cool. Eventually, though, so much
frost builds up on the evaporator coils that the circulating fan can't
draw air over the coils. There may still be a small amount of cooling
because the coils are icy, but with no air flow over the coils, cooling
in the refrigerator compartment is quite limited.

Here's an
inexpensive, though inconvenient, way to determine if the problem is
with the self-defrosting system. Remove all of the perishable food from
the refrigerator and freezer, turn the thermostat in the refrigerator
to Off, and leave the doors open for 24 to 48 hours. (Be sure to have
several towels ready in case the melting frost and ice causes the drip
pan to overflow). This allows the refrigerator to defrost "manually."
When the frost and ice build-up has completely melted away, turn the
thermostat back to a normal setting. If the refrigerator then cools
properly, it indicates a problem with one of three components in the
self-defrosting system:

The defrost timer

The defrost thermostat (also called the bi-metal switch)

The defrost heater

If
it still does not cool properly, there may be a problem with the
refrigerant level or the compressor. You may need to consult with a
qualified appliance repair technician to further diagnose the problem

Condenser
Self-defrosting
refrigerators all have a set of coils and a cooling fan, usually under
the refrigerator, that need to be cleaned regularly. If these coils get
coated with dust, dirt or lint, the refrigerator may not cool properly.
The coils may appear to be a thin, black, wide radiator-like device
behind the lower kick-panel. To clean them, disconnect the refrigerator
from the power source, use a refrigerator condenser brush (see the
Appliance Accessories section) and your vacuum cleaner to clean the
coils of any lint, pet hair, etc. You may not be able to get to all of
the condenser from the front, it may be necessary to clean the
remainder of the condenser from the rear of the refrigerator.

Tell us some more! Your answer needs to include more details to help people.You can't post answers that contain an email address.Please enter a valid email address.The email address entered is already associated to an account.Login to postPlease use English characters only.

I have a Kenmore model 253 freezer/refridgerator upright model. I am getting cold spots in the refridgeration in and near the vegetable drawers on the bottom of the refridgerator. The icemaker works but the water dispensor has stopped working too.

The only place that cools in a refrigerator is the freezer. The refridgerator side stills cold from the freezer via an air duct that runs from the freezer to the refridgerator. If your fan in the freezer compartment is not working your refridgerator side will not work. To replace the fan you will need to clean out the freezer including the shelving. Then remove the back panel all you need is a phillips screw driver. When the back is replaced the fan is at the top. It is held in by two screws that go threw rubber mounts on the fan braces. You will need to remove one ground wire and two electric wires on the motor its self. Make sure to unplug the refrigerator before starting the repair. good luck

check your damper vent door located between the fridge and freezer and make sure its opening up to let cold air into the fridge,also check the evaporator fan motor and make sure its operating to blow the air around the inside of the unit

Not sure about your model, but most of these style side by side refridgerators use the cold air from the freezer to cool the refridgerator. Sounds like your "flapper" valve is broken. At the top left in the refridgerator there should be plastic shroud. Remove it and your flapper valve should be under it. You will most likely find the flap broken off of it. You may have success using epoxy to glue it or you may have to replace the valve assembly.
Good luck.

Can you tell me if you hear the compressor running under the refrigerator? Is fan running beneath the refrigerator? Need to get the exactKenmore model number found when you open the fresh food section. Let me know, Sea Breeze